Academic Support Information for Parents
Academic Advising
All students have a team of advisors to support them. Arts and Sciences BA/BS students and Engineering BS students begin with an assigned pre-major advisor. Then, Arts and Sciences BA/BS students select a new faculty advisor and Engineering BS students are assigned a faculty advisor when they declare their major. Arts and Sciences students select a major by March 1st of their second year. Engineering students do so by March 1st of their first year.
Advising Deans are a consistent resource throughout students' entire experience at Tufts and are assigned based on students' intended program and by last name. Understanding the policies and requirements is critical to student success, so Advising Deans will provide this information to students many times throughout the first year and beyond, starting with Academic Essentials. You can find the videos that your students viewed below. It is beneficial for parents and families to know and understand the policies and requirements expected of your students, in order to best support them from home.
- Arts and Sciences BA/BS First-Year Students: Academic Essentials
- Arts and Sciences BA/BS Transfer Students: Academic Essentials
- Engineering BS First-Year Students: Academic Essentials
- Arts and Sciences BFA/Combined Degree Essentials
Advising Deans are well equipped to identify and connect students to resources they need to be successful. There are many incredible resources available to students to utilize during their time at Tufts, such as those listed below.
Learn More about Advising at Tufts
The StAAR Center
The StAAR Center values the individuality of each student, offering a number of different types of free programs to help students reach their full potential while at Tufts. Specific programs include:
- Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities
- Academic Coaching for Any Student
- Writing Support for Any Student
- StAAR Resources and Workshops
Residential Life
The Office of Residential Life and Learning offers much more than a place to live. The residence halls offer a space for your student to connect with peers, achieve academic goals, and receive advice from returning students and professional staff. Each student has a student Resident Assistant, as well as a team of professional staff that live and work on campus. Hosting community meetings, social events, and study groups are just some of the things that provide a vibrant residential experience for your student. Encourage your student to utilize the residential-based resources available to them, such as their RA, Residential Learning Coordinator, or contact their office at residentiallife@tufts.edu.
Learn More about Residential Life
Campus Life
The Office for Campus Life supports the operations of over 300 student organizations and dozens of events and meetings each day. If your student is saying they're having trouble finding things to do or "their place" on campus, encourage them to explore our student engagement platform, JumboLife, to learn about and join the many student organizations or attend one of hundreds events happening during the semester. Looking for something off-campus, check out TUSC's resource page.
Learn More about Social Life at Tufts Visit the JumboLife Platform
Scholar Development
Getting involved in research can be a wonderful part of the undergraduate experience. Some students choose to work for a faculty member while others design projects of their own.
Find Out More about Scholar Development at Tufts
Concerns about Your Student
If you have any concerns about your student's well-being, in any regard, please contact Student Services at 617-627-2000 to be connected to the most appropriate dean in Undergraduate Education or Student Life. Instructors and academic advisors can not respond to parent inquiries about a student's progress, per our Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) policy.
Student Services
The Student Services Center in Dowling Hall is committed to helping undergraduate students and their parents as accurately and as quickly as possible. Contact us via phone (617-627-2000), email, online, or in person.
Student Information System (SIS) is used for academic records, registration, and transactions such as refunds and verification letters. In keeping with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), your student must invite you to register for the SIS portal.